Hi there!
I’m currently back in school working on completely course pre-reqs for medical school. I’m just wondering is a medical history is taken into account when applying to medical school? Especially mental health? In 2016, undiagnosed OCD lead me to develop an eating disorder for which I’m currently in recovery, as well as chronic depression.
I’m wondering if these life events could affect my medical school application? Aside from my mental health history, I’m work towards a strong application (knock on wood): my undergrad GPA is 3.9, my current science/math GPA is 4.0, I’m about to begin volunteering in a hospital and I work 24+ hours a week in an advanced-stage dementia nursing home, basically as a CNA. I served as a Peace Corps volunteer and I’m nearly fluent in Spanish.
There are “technical competencies” that you must say that you are able to perform (see AAMC website). You basically just digitally sign a document saying you’ve read them and that you are able to meet the standards within them. Assuming you don’t have any criminal record stemming from your mental health, the only thing that the school will know is what you tell them. There is no medical screening other than making sure you’ve got your vaccinations prior to matriculation.
If you want to bring it up in your personal statement or interviews, then you open the door for them to ask more questions about it (and you can answer them or not as you wish).